Weird But True

Strange cloud formations over Alaska spark wild conspiracy theories

By
Social Links for Kathianne Boniello
Published April 9, 2022
Updated April 9, 2022, 7:26 p.m. ET
An Emirates Boeing 777 passenger aircraft flying in the blue sky at 39.000 ft from Dubai DXB International Airport in UAE to Manchester MAN in the UK flight no EK17.
Alaska state troopers concluded that the suspicious clouds reported from Lazy Mountain came from a commercial jet heading "to JFK airport in New York." Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A cloud of mystery fueled social media conspiracy theories near Lazy Mountain, Alaska, Thursday.

Meteor, Russian missile, plane crash and UFO were among the explanations for a ghoulish towering sliver of a cloud with finger-like trails.

A rescue team sent to search for a crash on Lazy Mountain found nothing suspicious, Alaska State Troopers reported.

A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm/
Alaska state troopers were sent near Lazy Mountain after reported footage showed unusual clouds. Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv
A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm.
Conspiracies Facebook users believed ranged from aliens to missiles. Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv
A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm.
Alaskan authorities did acknowledge the cloud was a “unique atmospheric sight.” Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv

“Not sure what but it looked cool,” Heather Isackson wrote on Facebook.

“Further investigation revealed that a large commercial jet was flying in that area around the time that the photos and video were taken. The aircraft was contacted and reported normal flight operations on its way to JFK airport in New York,” Alaska State Troopers wrote on Facebook.

A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm.
The footage from Facebook captures a finger-shaped cloud forming over Alaska’s Lazy Mountain. Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv
A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm.
State troopers claim the weird-shaped cloud was formed from a mix of jet exhaust and the rising sun. Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv
A weird cloud formation over Alaska's Lazy Mountain ignited a social media storm.
A closer look at the odd-shaped cloud appears to show a commercial jet. Facebook/Elisabeth Griesmer Ahlv

“Troopers believe that the photos and videos showed a contrail from the commercial jet combined with the rising sun which together caused the unique atmospheric sight. We greatly appreciate the numerous Alaskans that reported the suspicious sight this morning to law enforcement,” they added.